Sheila went from a size 12 to 2!

“I decided to join Lifetime Fitness after hitting my eight month pregnancy weight (without actually being pregnant again). I was skeptical to invest in a personal trainer because of past history with gyms that provided a few sessions with membership. When I did my HealthScore with Zack, I sat in his office and cried because I was overwhelmed and upset at what poor health I let myself get in. I was so worried about everything and everyone around me that I stopped taking time to take care of myself.

Zack has been an instrumental part of getting my life back. He has not only been an amazing trainer but also a counselor and a friend. Throughout our time working together he has always been compassionate about what’s going on in my life and making sure that I was taking care of my mind and body. He has always pushed me past what I thought were my limits.

From day one Zack has kept me motivated and accountable for my own success. We worked together to set goals and determine what worked and didn’t work for me. I didn’t want to just go to the gym and work out on the elliptical, but had no idea where to start with anything else. During my different phases of workout programs, I focused on total body workouts with an emphasis on strength and compound exercise.

Zack was able to teach me how to use the correct muscles and do all of the exercises the right way. This was especially helpful with having to relearn how to use my stomach muscles following a c-section. I had never worked out with kettlebells or attempted to do deadlifts or back squats. I think he made sure I hit a personal record at least once a week. I never would have thought that I’d be doing 35lb Turkish get-ups, 175lb deadlifts, 155lb back squats, or one legged pistol squats.  Zack has also made sure that I understand the importance of taking daily supplements, eating right and what turned out to be one of the most important things for my weight loss – getting enough sleep.

Participating in the 90 day challenge helped to keep me motivated at the beginning of my journey because I have always been a competitive person. I set a goal that I wanted to attain even though it was not going to be easy. Only a few weeks into the challenge it all became fun to me. I was proud of myself and I felt better. While I was happy about losing weight and looking better, I was excited to have energy again and be thinking clearer.

I’m more efficient with work and have been able to find the balance in my life that I was lacking, and it all came from just taking care of myself and sticking to the program that Zack has helped me to establish.

In the past five months working with Zack, I have lost 35lbs and gone from 32% body fat to 15.5% body fat. I am in the best shape of my life and feel amazing!”    

— Sheila H

Mame Lost 44lbs!

Let me start by saying I am a normal person (just like you) that tries to deal with a job, family, getting enough sleep at night, paying bills and the stress of everyday living.  I have never been into exercising –  I had two previous gym memberships before this, and yes, I was one of those people who joined in January (with very good intentions),  went three times, and then could not wait for my contract to end.

I don’t know why I joined LifeTime Fitness last June; maybe it was looking in the mirror one day and finally getting fed up with what I saw, and saying to myself – it’s now or never.

Not really having too much faith, I thought what could it hurt?

I figured a good start would be to hire a personal trainer to show me the ins and outs and hopefully encourage me to stay longer than 3 days.  That was the best thing I ever did.  I started with a personal trainer in order to work with someone who could show me exactly what I needed to do and how to get where I wanted to go.  That is when Zack Henderson entered my life.  I believe he is one of the best ones out there.  Not only did he pave the way for me, but he never gave up on me and pushed me to keep going.

That is enough to keep you going and makes you think: Yes, I really can do this, and someone else thinks I actually can too!  He also knows exactly what exercise you should be working on for the most troublesome spots you may have.

I think the biggest concern when you hire someone to perform a service for you is, you think – are they going to do what I need them to? And are they going to do it in the way I expect, to get the results I want?  Zack was more than what I expected.  He came through with flying colors

I never believed I could transform my body down 3-4 dress sizes,  I have not been this small since my college days.  I thought I was doomed to be overweight the rest of my life, because isn’t that what happens when you are a woman and you reach a certain age later on in life?  ABSOLUTELY NOT!  I am proof of that.  If an individual like me who never really exercised at all (and never liked it before) can achieve the results that I have, than trust me, anyone out there who wants to change their body, mindset and ultimately their lifestyle, CAN DO THIS TOO!!!

My favorite part of training was actually seeing the results.  That was worth every minute of hard training put forth and every penny spent!

I have already recommended him to family/friends and will continue to do so.  But all I have to say is, if you want someone that can actually do what they say they can do and give you the end result you are looking for, than go with Zack Henderson!  He doesn’t play and takes every minute you are with him seriously!

His positive attitude makes you want to continue onward.  Step 1 of my training was weight loss, and that was definitely a success (44 lbs. in 4 months) and I feel absolutely amazing; and, I have no doubt that Step 2 of my training (the strength phase) will be just as successful!

I have had other trainers in the past, but I have never been with someone like Zack, who always pushed me to the next level.  Most importantly, he never gave up on me and the fact that I could actually do this! Six months ago, I never would have believed I would be where I am today.

Another important thing I have gotten out of this training is an elevation of my self esteem and confidence; they have both jumped 100%.  Not only has my body greatly improved, but my mindset has also.

All I can say is THANKS ZACK — for transforming not only my body (and giving me boundless energy), but also my mind and my lifestyle to a more healthier and happier state!  As to the future, I just want to keep getting stronger and stronger, and by continuing to work with Zack, I know I will get get there!”

— Mame H

 Tracy rediscovered her strength and

lost 17lbs!

“When I moved to Charlotte this past spring, my biggest concern was losing the routine that I had worked so hard to establish before I moved.   I had worked with a trainer in the DC area for the year and a half before I relocated.  I was concerned that I would quickly get out of my routine and fall back into my former inactive/workaholic lifestyle.  I had very high expectations on what I was looking for in a trainer as well as the type of training that I wanted to do.  I had honestly given up on finding that in Charlotte.

Even though the gym is a bit of a commute, I decided to give it a shot since Zack had been recommended.  After the very first training session, I was thrilled because I knew that this was going to be a good fit for me.  Zack has exceeded my expectations as a trainer and coach in every regard.  I have seen significant progress just in the few months that I have been working with him.  He pushes me to work hard and to be better, but never to the point where I want to give up.

My favorite part of training has been working toward my goals and achieving things that I had never imagined that I could.  On my first day of training, Zack had me write down a list of any goals that I could think of.  At the time, most of the goals seemed somewhat unattainable.  I have already accomplished so much more than I would have thought possible.  I feel like each training session is just that — training.  I am not just doing a random workout, I am training towards all of the goals that I have set.  Each time I hit a PR or am able to do something that I had not been able to do before, it is incredibly motivating to me.  I look forward to every training session as I know that each one gets me that much closer to my goals.

He also gives me “homework” to do at home so that I can continue to work towards specific goals outside of my training sessions.  Zack has been able to show me what I am capable of, and as a very goal oriented person, that is extremely motivating to me.  I am the strongest that I have ever been.

I recommend Zack to pretty much anyone that I talk to.  Everyone knows how important my training sessions are to me and how much of a relief it has been to me to have found such an amazing trainer in Charlotte.  He has a way of making all of his clients feel as if they are his only client.  He is professional, encouraging and puts you at ease from the moment that you meet him.  He also helps to push you past any limits that you have set for yourself and realize your potential.

In 3 months, I lost almost 20 pounds and my body fat decreased from 33% to 25%, and I gained a newfound love of strength training and working towards my goals.

My decision to train with Zack was the absolute best decision that I made after moving to Charlotte!    I feel incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to train with someone of his caliber.”

— Tracy C

 Tee got beach-ready in 6 weeks!

“Zack is the best trainer ever. Over the last six weeks I’ve trained with Zack I have lost 12 pounds. He is so knowledgeable on the key elements to becoming fit.

My goal is to lead a healthy lifestyle and Zack is helping me to reach that goal. He is truly inspirational and I really appreciate him and all he does!

HE IS THE BEST!”

— Tee W

Mike took a chance and lost 48lbs!

“Yes, it’s true – I’d never been to a gym in my life.  Not even when I was 15, really.  In December, I decided to join a gym, with the encouragement of my wife, and my great kids.  Although I am 44 years old, I was scared to join.  It was over-whelming and a little nerve-wracking.

I met Zack, and hired him as my personal trainer; the best thing I’ve ever done in my life. He started with me from the very basics, like a Kindergarten kid. He taught me everything I’ve learned, was very patient, helpful, and knowledgable. I couldn’t say enough about him.  He is awesome. Well, when I first started, I weighed229lbs, now with his help, I now weigh 197lbs 181lbs. Thanks, Zack, you’re the best!”

— Mike A

Tom became a Spartan racer at 59 years young!

“Just a short note of thanks to Zack in helping me reach my fitness goals this year. I have been training with Zack since April and his guidance and leadership were key ingredients in completing my Spartan Trifecta. I look forward to working with him this coming year and appreciate the effort and intelligence he brings to our training sessions. Thanks Zack!”

– Tom S.

Shavone found her strength!

I joined Life Time Fitness in January 2014.  I was skeptical about joining a new gym.  I just knew they were going to try and promote “Personal Training”, which I was not a fan of at first.  I got a free consultation when I joined, and that’s where I met Zack Henderson. I was not only impressed with how he was interested in my goals, but the fitness terminology he shared with me.  Every question I would ask, he would have a complete definition, example, and a solution… Bam!!!  That’s what I am talking about.  This guy really knows his stuff and it shows.  After the consultation, I was still skeptical about personal training.

Several weeks went by, and then finally my journey with Zack began in mid-February. I have to admit it was a little rough at first, but Zack kept pushing me.  I am so much stronger now.  I am doing more pushups, lifting heavier weights, and even pull ups!!!  Whoop! Whoop!

I am really impressed that Zack started me off doing pull ups, which I hated, because I did not think I could do them.  I started off doing 7 pull-ups w/ 80lbs of assistance.  After training several weeks, I am doing 7 pull-ups w/ 53lbs of assistance.  Now, that’s strong!!!  I could barely swing a kettle bell, at 20lbs, and now I am swinging 53lbs, one handed.  Talk about strong!!! Zack is the man with the plan when it comes to diet and nutrition.

I asked Zack over tons of questions about what to eat, when to eat, and different supplements.  He really knows his stuff! Zack is a wonderful trainer and I can gladly say, my friend.  I enjoy starting my Monday & Friday with Zack Strong!!!  Thank You!”

— Shavone C

“I honestly cannot find the words to describe how amazing it has been to work with Zack over the past three months; it has truly been a privilege. When I started working with Zack in September, my goal was to maintain my weight, increase my strength, and tone up and I was able to do just that with his help and guidance. With Zack’s coaching and motivation I have been able to get my body fat percentage as low as 19%, obtain personal records with swinging a 106 pound kettlebell, deadlift 235 pounds, and complete 11 weighted pull-ups!!! None of which would have been achieved without Zack’s skills and training regimen.

During our sessions, Zack is always attentive to my needs and how well I’m doing with the exercise; he is able to recognize when I need to be pushed a little harder, which I greatly appreciate, because I tend to cheat myself, but he pushes me to go harder and further! If you’re looking for a trainer with a great personality, someone who’s flexible and extremely knowledgeable… Zack is your guy!”  — Meghan B

“Before I signed up to train with Zack, I had the motivation to get fit, but not much direction.  Zack is a fantastic instructor, and always keep every training session interesting, from what exercises we’ll be working on, to random bits of trivia. Even when I’m about to collapse from the intense activity, I usually am laughing too.

I really appreciate the meeting we have before I start the workout, where we talk about daily and weekly goals that I can set for myself, as well as longterm fitness goals. I would recommend Zack to anyone young or old, at any fitness level! I can’t speak highly enough of his skill, training, and easy personality!!!” — Rachel F

“After herniating my L5 disc during the spring of 2012 performing a squat incorrectly, I joined up with Zack in July 2013 to pursue my weight lifting goals and do it right this time. We hashed out all the exercises that aggravated my back and found workarounds. Zack educated me these past months on what it means to weight lift and how to get those results through basic techniques.

I’ve hit personal records on the bench press, deadlift, chin-up, and kettlebell swings multiple times. He knows what he is talking about, how to read you, and get the best results from you. There is only one condition – You have to want it. Zack will do the rest.”

— David K

“I had the privilege of working with Zack for almost 6 months. I learned so much from him and he was a great personal trainer. He pushed me to be the best that I could and provided me with workouts that I could work on at home when I wasn’t in the gym.

He helped me to build up my strength and helped me to beat a couple of my records. It was really exciting to see my strength build up over the course of those months. I would recommend Zack to anyone. He is a great guy and a great trainer that understands what you want out of each work out and the goal you are trying to obtain.”

— Jordan W

“I’ve had a few other personal trainers and I was never especially happy with my results. I told Zack this the day I met him. He’s been, by far, the best I’ve worked with. In addition to introducing me to kettlebells – which I’ve learned to actually like. Zack understands my long term goals and is helping me attain those. He has taught me how to incorporate those goals into shorter term results and, maybe most importantly, he has taught me that it is okay to struggle with new exercises or new weights. He has also helped me to understand the truth behind the statement: “Progress, not Perfection.”

In the months we’ve trained together, I’ve set a whole bunch of amazing PRs; more importantly, I’ve noticed improvements in every aspect of my fitness – coordination, strength, confidence and consistency.”    — Lynnette D

“I would recommend you to everyone I know because you always come up with different ways to help me and you always make sure that what we’re doing is working for me.

Most trainers always have the same boring routine and for the most part we always do something new. I also like that you call my BS and push me to my limits.”  — Kay J

“My goals for fitness as an ‘aging adult’ are: remain capable of being active, maintain overall strength, continue to address areas of weakness, e.g. flexibility and balance. In the past I have received invaluable help with resistance and core training from excellent trainers.  The greatest and most satisfying challenge has come from regular yoga and yoga-based classes. Thus, I was interested in Zack’s exercises that precede more specific kettlebell work. And I believe his experience with yoga allowed him to start where I was. His emphasis on breathing and stretching, increasing muscular strength through tension, and insisting on proper technique for each exercise would correlate best with what I am practicing in yoga.

My sessions with Zack were, to me, eye-opening. Most of them involved no equipment more complicated than a mat, and simple but challenging exercises and poses that involved circles, twists, massage, bends, spreads, flexion, and extensions. The simple challenge of rising from a supine position (Turkish get-up) as an exercise in coordination, strength, and balance; planks and push-ups that actually engage the whole body; becoming conscious of ankles, lower back, toes, shoulders, and simple exercises to engage them.

Zack has helped me fill in a lot of gaps and round out my fitness program: resistance, cardio, yoga, and what I call ‘Zack’s stuff’ (which, of course employs them all but with no machines or complicated equipment necessary). This means my workouts are always challenging but never dull. (Dullness, the enemy to staying fit!)  Zack is patient, positive, encouraging, inventive, knowledgeable, and very intelligent.”  — Ken B

“Zack is truly an excellent trainer. I worked with him for over two months, and the results I have achieved (balance, flexibility and confidence) to date are due to  Zack’s perfect combination of diverse training methods.

He suggests exercise routines that are individualized and challenging, but not more than you can handle. He understands your goals and truly cares about your personal well-being. If you’re looking for a better quality of life with a trainer who is extremely knowledgeable and genuinely cares, then Zack is the right choice!”

— Vijayshree D

“I had free training sessions and was assigned to Zack. I was impressed with his knowledge of not only kettlebells but with fitness and weight training as a whole. I consequently signed up for more sessions with Zack and focused on core/strength training and building those areas that I thought I knew well. Got some amazing insight into the base that I was lacking and got a great return on my investment. Zack covered all of the base compound movements with proper form and uncovered those weak limiting areas in my current fitness. Highly recommend!”  — Lou C

“On my 44th birthday in January I promised myself that I was going to be at least 60 lbs. lighter by my next birthday.

The day of my first appointment with a trainer, there was some miscommunication, and he was not there to meet me, so that is how I met Zack.  We talked about my goals and why I wanted to lose weight.  He answered all my questions and put me at ease assuring me that my goals were attainable once we set a plan and stick to it.  Well that would be the hard part, sticking to it.  I have never been a real fan of trainers, and never really lasted more than two months with any of them in the past.

However, Zack is a little different.  He is persistent but nice about it, and pushes me further that I think I am able.  During our sessions I have his undivided attention, and I leave satisfied that he is focused on helping me.  Zack is also working with me on nutrition which is great because along with training and exercise, I need to have a balanced diet.

So in my humble opinion, Zack is the complete package, and I am happy to be working with him!” — Michelle T

“One of the best instructors I have ever worked with. Very helpful and knowledgeable not only with the kettlebells but every area you can think of working on. I had a lot of fun working with him! Has great enthusiasm and energy which is great cause it motivates you to push harder as well. Would definitely recommend working out with him!”  — Mihir S

“Zack is the first instructor I have met that knows his stuff when it comes to kettlebell training. Kettlebell training provides excellent all around training that has been left out of most peoples workout. If you are looking for a new way to get in shape try kettle bell training with an instructor that knows what he is doing!”  — Matt L

“The kettlebell workouts he has shown me have been a great supplement to my normal workout regiment. The strength and balance exercises have greatly helped me improve on areas I’m not used to working out as heavily. I’m typically more of a running focused person and use weight training as secondary, however Zack has shown himself to be knowledgeable about exercises that I am able to use to supplement my training runs. He’s very personable and is great at what he does. I would highly recommend him to anyone.”    — Mike S

“Zack’s wealth of knowledge in all fields of human health and well-being make him the ideal source of wisdom for the proper education of one’s overall fitness.  Zack goes beyond just knowing proper form and being able to display to one the correct way to work out; Zack knows why certain muscles and joints do what they do at different angles and what stretches and counter-stretches aid in successfully pulling off an exercise routine. Zack’s ability to tailor not only workout schedules and guidelines for a trainee, but nutritional suggestions to aid in ones goals makes him an invaluable trainer. His emphasis on actually showing how to do the exercises he describes displays that he practices his craft himself. Zack has been a massive help to getting me on the right track for my fitness goals.”     — Matthew H